A vacuum excavation
system which incorporates a low consumption air lance, a highly efficient multi-stage vacuum generation
system effectively isolated from the
waste stream and the air source, and a highly portable material
collection system. The air lance includes a cylindrical main body which narrows to a flat taper
nozzle at the digging end, and a tee-shaped
handle with a swivel type air fitting at one end, while the vacuum generation
system is a multi-stage ejector fitted onto a collection drum and consisting of successive venturi tubes with pressure equalizing check valves on the second and higher stages, the material
collection system consisting of the drum and hoses or pipes connected to the drum through a separate opening. The system can be powered entirely by one 185 cfm
portable air compressor, available from local tool rental firms if one is not owned, so than nearly any contractor,
utility company, or design firm can easily outfit themselves for vacuum excavation, at a cost for the excavation system less the
air compressor of less than one tenth that of a conventional system.